In the last two months, 267 mithuns have died in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley district, while a total of 1,402 animals have been affected by Foot‑and‑Mouth Disease (FMD), officials said Monday.
The disease has been reported in 21 villages of the district. Veterinary authorities have intensified treatment, surveillance and preventive measures. The first case was noted in the last week of July, according to District Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Officer Dr Dammo Riba.
Veterinary teams were dispatched with medicines and sample‑collection kits, and a subject‑expert team from the Centre visited the affected areas. Laboratory tests by the National Institute of Foot and Mouth Disease, Odisha, confirmed the outbreak was caused by FMD serotype ‘O’. Of the 1,402 mithuns reported affected, 1,225 have been treated and 267 have died. A four‑member rapid response team, together with local veterinary personnel, is carrying out treatment, surveillance and awareness activities.
The department maintains detailed livestock records and urges people and agencies to verify livestock population and mortality figures with official records to prevent misinformation. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven‑hoofed animals. Vaccination is a key preventive measure; the department conducts free routine vaccination drives twice a year at farmers’ doorsteps and appeals for full cooperation during campaigns. The department continues to monitor the situation closely and has undertaken necessary measures to contain the disease and protect the district’s livestock population.
